Love love love this book! This was a stay up past my bedtime to read in the dark sort of book. Firkins writes a wonderful slow burn romance, and really I didn’t want the book to end! I found both Marlowe and Angus to be incredibly likable, and I found the building tension between them wonderful. Cherry was a wonderful addition, as was Tanareve and even Babs. The book was humorous without any forced excessive comedy. I thought the writing and pacing were great, and really my only complaint is that the book ended. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Marlowe Banks Redesigned is one of my favorite fall reads that made me laugh, smile and quickly turn each page.

Marlowe is at a turning point in her life; recently having such negative reviews on costumes for a play in New York City, she’s now a wardrobe personal assistant for a production company. The production company, in fact, that has hunk actor Angus Gordon, the star that everyone wants to be around. Marlowe spills coffee one day on Angus and sets everything else in life in motion. Now, she’s thrust in the scene playing a waitress and figuring out who she is in this new lifestyle. Marlowe Banks is changing her world, buckle in.

Marlowe Banks, Redesigned shines a light on characters that are in the middle of finding out who they are. Debut author Jacqueline Firkins does a great job of showcasing insecurities, wishes and other needs in adulthood. Told in the single point of view of Marlowe, readers are also able to get inside Augus’s head and feel what he is feeling. I definitely recommend anyone but this book on their fall tbr!

I loved this book. It was juicy and romantic, packed with both tension and sweetness. Their relationship was the perfect mix of chemistry and a nice, nuanced development. They both grew as characters, which I appreciated. And the workplace friendships, dramas and details were wonderfully laid out and complex. This novel was truly a delight!

I thought this was a really sweet and fun read.

Marlowe Banks has fled NYC after her costume designs were shredded in her most recent job. She also flees her former fiancé and starts anew in L.A. working as a P.A. in the wardrobe department. An extra down on set, Marlowe just happens to be the right size for the wardrobe and ends up in a scene with the super famous Angus Gordon.

Angus does not have the best reputation and comes off as a complete jerk at first. Once you start to unravel who he really is, you realize how wonderful Angus is as a human. He's got a hard outer shell because of his profession, but there is such a deep caring, smart, generous, loyal guy living beneath his character's façade.

So many tropes in this one!
- Childhood crush
- Workplace
- Forced proximity
- Celebrity romance
- A little enemies to lovers
- Friends to lover
- Going viral

This was a slow burn and you watched as these enemies turned friends eventually turned into lovers. I loved seeing the growth in Marlowe's character. She had always been so focused on what everyone else was thinking, and playing small. She really grew into herself and learned how to stand up for herself after the trauma of dealing with the parents she had, as well as her former fiancé. Angus turned out to be a huge cinnamon roll and a wonderful partner for Marlowe.

I enjoyed the banter and all of the inside jokes that Marlowe and Angus developed. The epilogue was super cute with so many callbacks and inside jokes.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I loved this book! I found it very original and enjoyable., This was my first book by this author but it definitely wont be the last!

First of all, a huge thank you to St Martins Press for allowing me to read this book prior to its release.

When I first saw the cover, I immediately knew I needed to meet Marlowe and she was an absolute delight!

This story was a perfect lighthearted read and it was SO readable, I flew through it in a 24 hour period. It wasn't a super intense plot but the pacing kept me hooked and entertained!

It was a little steamier than I prefer, so just something to keep in mind if you prefer a clean or closed door romance.

This book is available everywhere on October 25th and I think it will be a big hit! I think Jacqueline Firkins will develop a HUGE fan base too 👍👍

Great read, but I felt like something was missing. I would’ve liked to delve more deep into Angus’s upbringing. Female lead was understandable and i empathized with her struggle to stand up for herself. Ending was hilarious and original!

I have to be honest- the thing that first made me want to read this book was the fact that a Weimaraner was mentioned in the synopsis. I have a few of them, and I rarely get to see them in books, so I was excited about that! Came for the dog, stayed for the story. Marlowe's life is falling apart, so she does what anyone would do- she packs up and heads to another state. But there are some surprises waiting for her, and through the new challenges and experiences, she will find happiness once again. I enjoyed a lot of the behind the scenes stuff and Angus was the icing on the cake. I love an arrogant bad boy! Thank you to the publisher for giving me the chance to read a digital ARC of this book!

This one pleasantly surprised me with the relationship development of the two main characters. Marlowe Banks is accustomed to being invisible and overlooked. She wears it like second skin, wanting approval and affirmation, but not quite ready to step into her own spotlight. As an assistant on the set of a popular television series, Marlowe is overqualified for her job of sorting out clothing and costumes, but it allows her to hide. She’s still reeling from a broken off engagement and taking a job across the country while coming to terms with the fact that she deserves better.

Angus Gordon, star of the show and celebrity heartthrob, has a run in with Marlowe. While it was hardly the start of a beautiful friendship, unforgettable first impressions were made. When they should not have crossed paths again, Marlowe winds up as an extra cast addition in a scene with Angus and things explode from there. Marlowe is garnering a lot of attention and scrutiny by her adjacent association to Angus and she’s not a fan.

I loved the sarcasm and humor between these two. Even though Marlowe is not an actress and couldn’t really be accused of being star struck, she doesn’t try to impress Angus in any way. Part of the joke is that she’s not lucky and she seems to keep fumbling or put her worst foot forward whenever she’s around him, which ends up being comical and doesn’t go unappreciated by Angus. Despite the packaged public persona, the real guy underneath is surprisingly down to earth, introverted and relatable.

Although a bit of a slow burn, it’s obvious that these two are like kindred spirits, too. It may seem like they come from opposite worlds and don’t fit into each other’s lives, yet they truly see the other. Marlowe is not trying to win Angus over, yet he can’t help but be charmed by her anyway despite all the mishaps. I really enjoyed seeing Marlowe come out of her shell physically through her role on-screen opposite Angus and metaphorically from her personal growth. Marlowe thinks of herself as ordinary or even less, but her authenticity is what shines through. I also admired the fact that Angus wasn’t the typical arrogant and cocky actor who expects the world to bow at his privileged feet, as he is vulnerable, too, and Marlowe keeps trying to maintain distance. Even with the humor, the issues present help to build layers and complexity with the characters and make it feel as though the reader is rooting for a pair good friends who deserve to be happy together.

Marlowe Banks is a designer that by the turns of life ends up in a scene of a famous series as an extra and even more amazing, the camera catches a heated look between her and the bad boy star of the show.

The romance was sweet, but the references to clothing in TV shows and theater? Love it as I'm particularly into that kind of thing. But back to Marlowe and Augus, their relationship will make you question once again your standards (a.k.a go higher to the skies)

If you love a romance with the Hollywood star that is more than what is seems, this is for you!

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

Marlow Banks, Redesigned by Jacqueline Firkins is a fun summer read. I try not to judge books by their cover but the cover design for this book was so fun and cute I knew I had to give it a try and am glad I did. I love the way Marlowe just kind of fell into some of the circumstances and how fun and light hearted this book is.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.

Marlowe Bank is not having a good time. She has recently ended her engagement (with no warning) and fled NYC due to a horrid review on her costume design of a play production. She tries to reinvent herself in LA working as a Production Assistant to a she-wolf boss that likes to blur the lines between production assistant and personal assistant. As Marlowe works on a popular TV series, she is learning somethings, but really wants to get back into design, not sorting socks and picking up orders from stores all over LA.

Due to a mix-up with a costume not being picked up timely, Marlowe steps in as a small background player on the show. However, Marlowe's earlier run in with the hot-lead actor, leaves the scene a little too steamy for viewers, they want more!! As Marlowe and Angus spend more time together, they realize there is more than meets the high. That the glamourous Hollywood life is not reality - it is mostly smoke and mirrors.

Then, an opportunity presents itself back in NYC - can she leave LA and the hunky actor and try again, or will the fear of failure, keep her in LA?

I found this to be an interesting read. Since the author has experience in this field, I feel like I got to see behind the scenes. I look forward to more books by this author.

I so enjoyed this book. The characters were likeable and relatable, and I really appreciated the storyline of Marlowe learning who she was and being confident in the decisions that she made.

⭐⭐⭐⭐
Marlowe Banks Redesigned, Jacqueline Firkins
October 25, 2022, St. Martin's Press

Thank you @netgalley and @stmartinspress for the #ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Marlowe Banks is attempting to find success as a costume designer in LA and when she is the only person on set to fit into a waitress costume, she is recruited for a brief appearance. Wouldn't you know that a brief look would cause social media to go crazy and totally ship Marlowe and the show's bad boy lead, Angus.

While, yes, this is a romance and predictable, it also is a story about Marlowe and Angus both discovering their worth, A highly enjoyable book.

#bookstagram #bookstagrammer #summerreads #chicklit #romance @jfkillsdarlings

I loved the description of this book and went in with high expectations! And this book did not disappoint! With ties to the back side of Hollywood and wardrobe design, this book truly gives you insight to what it means to be behind the scenes (and its not always glamorous!). Love the relationship between Marlowe and Angus - you just can't help but love their banter. Marlowe is such a fantastic main character and I highly recommend this booK!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book

Guys, I LOVED this book. LOVED IT. I wish I could read it again for the first time! It's so swoon worthy and charming! Marlowe's life is a bit of a mess, and nothing is going her way. She's fresh from a break up and in a career isn't going the way she hoped. Everything changes when a costume issue causes her to have to step onto the screen for the TV show she works for. The chemistry between Marlowe and the TV's leading man Angus is so hot the internet immediately ships them as a on screen couple. The problem is Angus seems to be entitled and the two do not get along. Their relationship is STEAMY and their banter is amazing. It's a slow burn romance full of great conversations and a lot of heart. I loved it!

Blown away by the book. While I read a lot of romance, this is not your average one. Marlowe Banks is SO entirely relatable, I think everyone can find themselves in her just a bit. There's amazing character growth throughout the entire book and in the end it's like the author realized that we all need a warm hug, and that's what we got. Keep your mind open about this one, because you're sure to love it.

You know those books that are light (yet with some character development/introspect/growth) and perfect for a lazy day at the pool?! This was exactly it.

I simply adored experiencing Angus & Marlowe's life happenings. AND there was a scene that I wanted to jump right into it and party with them. Who doesn't love just being slightly tipsy and losing themselves on the dance floor and becoming one with the music?!

And for once...there was only 1 character I despised. But he doesn't even need to be named. 🫢

This reads as a romance stereotype. It's an okay read but I was looking for something more. I stopped reading at 33%. DNF.


**********************I received an ARC for my honest opinion from NetGalley************************

Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Griffin, and Jacqueline Firkins for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! This is a really fun book that follows Marlowe as she leaves for California after some unfortunate events. I really liked all of the characters in this novel and especially the ending! The writing was also amazing and I truly felt the chemistry and romance between Marlowe and Angus. It’s funny, charming, and a great read. I recommend this one!